Mango memories, the fruit of togetherness
While people's opinions may differ on this, many would still agree with me when I say that nothing transports a person back to their childhood days like a fruit-laden tree. For a majority of us, childhood memories are filled with jamun, guava and other fruit trees, the best, however, being the mango trees.
Though mangoes made it to the supermarket shelves last month, trees laden with unripe green ones can still be found in orchards and private gardens. These continue to attract men and macaws alike as long as the fruiting season is around.
I've had my fair share of mango trees as well. While some of them are history for various reasons, one continues to occupy a place of pride in my garden. A lot of excitement and fervour have always marked the process of picking mangoes, as we make it a point to do so on an off day when all would be around. We crack jokes, laugh, and have a good time while making a beeline to this tree with baskets, vessels, and everything we can find to gather the rich harvest, which we happily share with our neighbours.
Our current mango tree is more than just a producer of the most luscious mangoes that I have ever had. Besides the fruit, yummy pickles, and tasty chutneys, it has given a lifetime of precious memories that still bring cheer to my family and me. More so, it is a companion that I have grown up with and a counsellor that has helped me understand the intricacies of life. I'm not a psychologist or an expert on the philosophy and psychology of trees, but a most recent change in the fruiting routine of this tree has helped me understand the ravages of loneliness and the benefits of socialising.
For as long as I have been associated with it, this tree has had an irregular harvest routine, as, instead of annually, it yields fresh produce every couple of years or more. This is even though a majority of the bottles of mango pickles in my almirah owe their origin to this tree. However, this irregular cycle has changed ever since we planted more than 200 'dharek (also known as Chinaberry)' trees around it nearly a decade ago. Our mango tree started yielding fruit every year.
While my garden has never faced a dearth of trees and plants, thanks to my late maternal grandfather's green thumb, this mango tree, situated in a far corner, often appeared lonely in the bygone years. Not anymore, as it has found company among the 'dhareks' that always appear to be dancing and swaying, no matter how dreary the weather.
As the seasons change and the mango tree continues to thrive, I am reminded that the true sweetness of life lies in the connections we make and the memories we create.
shaheen.parshad@gmail.com
The writer is an Amritsar-based freelance contributor
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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Mango memories, the fruit of togetherness
While people's opinions may differ on this, many would still agree with me when I say that nothing transports a person back to their childhood days like a fruit-laden tree. For a majority of us, childhood memories are filled with jamun, guava and other fruit trees, the best, however, being the mango trees. Though mangoes made it to the supermarket shelves last month, trees laden with unripe green ones can still be found in orchards and private gardens. These continue to attract men and macaws alike as long as the fruiting season is around. I've had my fair share of mango trees as well. While some of them are history for various reasons, one continues to occupy a place of pride in my garden. A lot of excitement and fervour have always marked the process of picking mangoes, as we make it a point to do so on an off day when all would be around. We crack jokes, laugh, and have a good time while making a beeline to this tree with baskets, vessels, and everything we can find to gather the rich harvest, which we happily share with our neighbours. Our current mango tree is more than just a producer of the most luscious mangoes that I have ever had. Besides the fruit, yummy pickles, and tasty chutneys, it has given a lifetime of precious memories that still bring cheer to my family and me. More so, it is a companion that I have grown up with and a counsellor that has helped me understand the intricacies of life. I'm not a psychologist or an expert on the philosophy and psychology of trees, but a most recent change in the fruiting routine of this tree has helped me understand the ravages of loneliness and the benefits of socialising. For as long as I have been associated with it, this tree has had an irregular harvest routine, as, instead of annually, it yields fresh produce every couple of years or more. This is even though a majority of the bottles of mango pickles in my almirah owe their origin to this tree. However, this irregular cycle has changed ever since we planted more than 200 'dharek (also known as Chinaberry)' trees around it nearly a decade ago. Our mango tree started yielding fruit every year. While my garden has never faced a dearth of trees and plants, thanks to my late maternal grandfather's green thumb, this mango tree, situated in a far corner, often appeared lonely in the bygone years. Not anymore, as it has found company among the 'dhareks' that always appear to be dancing and swaying, no matter how dreary the weather. As the seasons change and the mango tree continues to thrive, I am reminded that the true sweetness of life lies in the connections we make and the memories we create. The writer is an Amritsar-based freelance contributor
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
‘Talibanisation of society': After Punjab influencer Kamal Kaur Bhabi's killing, cops go hard on vigilantes; debate rages on what defines vulgarity
Chandigarh: The top brass of Punjab Police has asked the force's officers to deal with acts of moral policing with an iron hand, as a storm rages in the state over social media influencer Kanchan Tiwari aka 'Kamal Kaur Bhabi' being murdered by a self-styled Nihang Sikh, Amritpal Singh Mehron, and his two associates who found her content to be obscene. Acting on these directions, police have arrested a Patiala man for allegedly threatening an Amritsar-based influencer, Deepika Luthra, who has also been provided security along with a second content creator. A police officer said Luthra had received numerous threats and police were investigating each. "People appear to be making threats to make some splash due to the attention the incident [Tiwari murder] has received," said the officer. Punjab special director general of police (law and order) Arpit Shukla advised such self-styled vigilantes to approach the police if they found anything "objectionable". "We have instructed officers to take strict action against those who are issuing threats. As far as vulgarity is concerned, who are they (self-styled Nihang Sikhs who killed Kanchan) to decide... It is a broad subject, and the definition of vulgarity is different at different places. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo For instance, in the Islamic world, the definition of vulgarity would be different than other places," Shukla said. While Mehron fled to the UAE just seven hours after committing the crime at 2.30am on June 10, Bathinda police – the district where Kanchan's body was found on June 11 – have arrested his two associates and issued look-out circulars against Mehron and another accused, Ranjit Singh. Police have also obtained an open-dated arrest warrant and is set to initiate proceedings for Mehron's deportation. Divided opinions There is a split in society when it comes to the Taliban-style murder of Tiwari, with the biggest defence for Mehron and his associates coming from Giani Malkit Singh, the head granthi of Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. He said Sikh gurus' teachings asked people to keep away from vulgar songs and obscenity. "If someone from another religion changes their name and indulges in such acts to defame the Sikh community, the person should meet the same fate [as Kamal Tiwari]. Nothing wrong has happened," Giani Malkit said. However, many don't agree with his justification. "This is Talibanisation of society and the outcome of a radical mindset. After this, will they also now object to films for which there is a censor board? When some respectable voices speak in favour of such acts, police's task becomes more challenging," said a police officer, who did not wish to be named. Singer Mika Singh put out a video to condemn the act. "Warriors do not attack unarmed women and children," he said. He added the three Nihang Sikhs could have filed a police complaint or counselled the woman. "Why are you killing someone who is dancing and wearing short clothes. There are many other atrocities being committed [in the country], do something for that," Mika said. He also requested chief minister Bhagwant Mann to "rein in such elements". Akali Dal Waris Punjab De legal adviser Imaan Singh Khara, in a video, blamed AAP govt in Punjab for "increasing vulgarity" on social media platforms and for "not acting to check that". Imaan is the son of senior advocate Harpal Singh Khara, counsel for the two associates of Mehron who have been arrested for Kanchan Tiwari's murder. He put out a video on Monday and said the CM Bhagwant Mann-led govt failed to check vulgarity. Citing the Information Technology (IT) Act, Imaan said, "It is a legal offence to spread vulgarity online and in electronic form and govt had powers to ban that. But, like it failed to act against drugs, it failed to ban such social media accounts. AAP govt has been banning those accounts which bat for farmers and Punjab's rights, but has failed to ban the vulgar accounts, be it of men or women. Had it acted earlier, the present circumstances could have been avoided." However, Nihang order Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh reminded the accused of what Khalsa stood for. Responding to a question by the media in a video, the Budha Dal chief pointed out that mobile phones had their pros and cons and there was a need to avoid their misuse. "But one should keep in mind that Khalsa never attacks an unarmed person," he said. 'You get what you watch' Social media influencers argue that the content they put out is driven by viewers who watch such content. A Punjab Police officer too said it was the discretion of viewers. "It all depends on surfing patterns and the content one watches. The viewer has the option to like or dislike a post. Accordingly, there is a pattern of algorithm of the content that appears on one's social media accounts," said the officer. The cyber-crime division of Punjab Police has two wings to monitor and regulate [content] if there is anything incriminating or objectionable. It has a social media analysis centre (SMAC) and a round-the-clock cyber-patrolling unit (CPU), an official said. "If CPU comes across any objectionable or instigating post, like seditious one or the one having the potential to disturb communal harmony, it is flagged to SMAC for blocking. After a three-tier filtering process, the posts or social media handles are identified and a request is sent to the platform concerned to remove those," said the official. The official cited situations where there are borderline posts. "Social media platforms analyse requests on various parameters, including community guidelines and take action accordingly. In case of seditious posts, all requests are accepted. Comparatively, not all posts which are flagged as politically defamatory are removed by the platform concerned. As far as posts with 'vulgar' content are concerned, the definition is wide. Something which may be seen as unlawful here, might not be unlawful in the country from where the social media platform is operating. Something which may be considered obscene here, might not be considered obscene for them," said another official. In May, the cyber-crime division of Punjab police got 555 posts and socials media accounts removed/blocked, which included those identified by the CPU and the complaints it received. These included 222 posts on Facebook, 152 on Instagram, 162 on YouTube and 19 on X. Chandigarh: The top brass of Punjab Police has asked the force's officers to deal with acts of moral policing with an iron hand, as a storm rages in the state over social media influencer Kanchan Tiwari aka 'Kamal Kaur Bhabi' being murdered by a self-styled Nihang Sikh, Amritpal Singh Mehron, and his two associates who found her content to be obscene. Acting on these directions, police have arrested a Patiala man for allegedly threatening an Amritsar-based influencer, Deepika Luthra, who has also been provided security along with a second content creator. A police officer said Luthra had received numerous threats and police were investigating each. "People appear to be making threats to make some splash due to the attention the incident [Tiwari murder] has received," said the officer. Punjab special director general of police (law and order) Arpit Shukla advised such self-styled vigilantes to approach the police if they found anything "objectionable". "We have instructed officers to take strict action against those who are issuing threats. As far as vulgarity is concerned, who are they (self-styled Nihang Sikhs who killed Kanchan) to decide... It is a broad subject, and the definition of vulgarity is different at different places. For instance, in the Islamic world, the definition of vulgarity would be different than other places," Shukla said. While Mehron fled to the UAE just seven hours after committing the crime at 2.30am on June 10, Bathinda police – the district where Kanchan's body was found on June 11 – have arrested his two associates and issued look-out circulars against Mehron and another accused, Ranjit Singh. Police have also obtained an open-dated arrest warrant and is set to initiate proceedings for Mehron's deportation. Divided opinions There is a split in society when it comes to the Taliban-style murder of Tiwari, with the biggest defence for Mehron and his associates coming from Giani Malkit Singh, the head granthi of Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. He said Sikh gurus' teachings asked people to keep away from vulgar songs and obscenity. "If someone from another religion changes their name and indulges in such acts to defame the Sikh community, the person should meet the same fate [as Kamal Tiwari]. Nothing wrong has happened," Giani Malkit said. However, many don't agree with his justification. "This is Talibanisation of society and the outcome of a radical mindset. After this, will they also now object to films for which there is a censor board? When some respectable voices speak in favour of such acts, police's task becomes more challenging," said a police officer, who did not wish to be named. Singer Mika Singh put out a video to condemn the act. "Warriors do not attack unarmed women and children," he said. He added the three Nihang Sikhs could have filed a police complaint or counselled the woman. "Why are you killing someone who is dancing and wearing short clothes. There are many other atrocities being committed [in the country], do something for that," Mika said. He also requested chief minister Bhagwant Mann to "rein in such elements". Akali Dal Waris Punjab De legal adviser Imaan Singh Khara, in a video, blamed AAP govt in Punjab for "increasing vulgarity" on social media platforms and for "not acting to check that". Imaan is the son of senior advocate Harpal Singh Khara, counsel for the two associates of Mehron who have been arrested for Kanchan Tiwari's murder. He put out a video on Monday and said the CM Bhagwant Mann-led govt failed to check vulgarity. Citing the Information Technology (IT) Act, Imaan said, "It is a legal offence to spread vulgarity online and in electronic form and govt had powers to ban that. But, like it failed to act against drugs, it failed to ban such social media accounts. AAP govt has been banning those accounts which bat for farmers and Punjab's rights, but has failed to ban the vulgar accounts, be it of men or women. Had it acted earlier, the present circumstances could have been avoided." However, Nihang order Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh reminded the accused of what Khalsa stood for. Responding to a question by the media in a video, the Budha Dal chief pointed out that mobile phones had their pros and cons and there was a need to avoid their misuse. "But one should keep in mind that Khalsa never attacks an unarmed person," he said. 'You get what you watch' Social media influencers argue that the content they put out is driven by viewers who watch such content. A Punjab Police officer too said it was the discretion of viewers. "It all depends on surfing patterns and the content one watches. The viewer has the option to like or dislike a post. Accordingly, there is a pattern of algorithm of the content that appears on one's social media accounts," said the officer. The cyber-crime division of Punjab Police has two wings to monitor and regulate [content] if there is anything incriminating or objectionable. It has a social media analysis centre (SMAC) and a round-the-clock cyber-patrolling unit (CPU), an official said. "If CPU comes across any objectionable or instigating post, like seditious one or the one having the potential to disturb communal harmony, it is flagged to SMAC for blocking. After a three-tier filtering process, the posts or social media handles are identified and a request is sent to the platform concerned to remove those," said the official. The official cited situations where there are borderline posts. "Social media platforms analyse requests on various parameters, including community guidelines and take action accordingly. In case of seditious posts, all requests are accepted. Comparatively, not all posts which are flagged as politically defamatory are removed by the platform concerned. As far as posts with 'vulgar' content are concerned, the definition is wide. Something which may be seen as unlawful here, might not be unlawful in the country from where the social media platform is operating. Something which may be considered obscene here, might not be considered obscene for them," said another official. In May, the cyber-crime division of Punjab police got 555 posts and socials media accounts removed/blocked, which included those identified by the CPU and the complaints it received. These included 222 posts on Facebook, 152 on Instagram, 162 on YouTube and 19 on X.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
‘Talibanisation of society': Punjab Police go hard on vigilantes as influencer Kanchan Tiwari's murder over moral policing spills over
Chandigarh: The top brass of Punjab Police has asked the force's officers to deal with acts of moral policing with an iron hand, as a storm rages in the state over social media influencer Kanchan Tiwari aka 'Kamal Kaur Bhabi' being murdered by a self-styled Nihang Sikh, Amritpal Singh Mehron, and his two associates who found her content to be obscene. Acting on these directions, police have arrested a Patiala man for allegedly threatening an Amritsar-based influencer, Deepika Luthra, who has also been provided security along with a second content creator. A police officer said Luthra had received numerous threats and police were investigating each. "People appear to be making threats to make some splash due to the attention the incident [Tiwari murder] has received," said the officer. Punjab special director general of police (law and order) Arpit Shukla advised such self-styled vigilantes to approach the police if they found anything "objectionable". "We have instructed officers to take strict action against those who are issuing threats. As far as vulgarity is concerned, who are they (self-styled Nihang Sikhs who killed Kanchan) to decide... It is a broad subject, and the definition of vulgarity is different at different places. For instance, in the Islamic world, the definition of vulgarity would be different than other places," Shukla said. While Mehron fled to the UAE just seven hours after committing the crime at 2.30am on June 10, Bathinda police – the district where Kanchan's body was found on June 11 – have arrested his two associates and issued look-out circulars against Mehron and another accused, Ranjit Singh. Police have also obtained an open-dated arrest warrant and is set to initiate proceedings for Mehron's deportation. Divided opinions There is a split in society when it comes to the Taliban-style murder of Tiwari, with the biggest defence for Mehron and his associates coming from Giani Malkit Singh, the head granthi of Akal Takht, which is the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. He said Sikh gurus' teachings asked people to keep away from vulgar songs and obscenity. "If someone from another religion changes their name and indulges in such acts to defame the Sikh community, the person should meet the same fate [as Kamal Tiwari]. Nothing wrong has happened," Giani Malkit said. However, many don't agree with his justification. "This is Talibanisation of society and the outcome of a radical mindset. After this, will they also now object to films for which there is a censor board? When some respectable voices speak in favour of such acts, police's task becomes more challenging," said a police officer, who did not wish to be named. Singer Mika Singh put out a video to condemn the act. "Warriors do not attack unarmed women and children," he said. He added the three Nihang Sikhs could have filed a police complaint or counselled the woman. "Why are you killing someone who is dancing and wearing short clothes. There are many other atrocities being committed [in the country], do something for that," Mika said. He also requested chief minister Bhagwant Mann to "rein in such elements". Akali Dal Waris Punjab De legal adviser Imaan Singh Khara, in a video, blamed AAP govt in Punjab for "increasing vulgarity" on social media platforms and for "not acting to check that". Imaan is the son of senior advocate Harpal Singh Khara, counsel for the two associates of Mehron who have been arrested for Kanchan Tiwari's murder. He put out a video on Monday and said the CM Bhagwant Mann-led govt failed to check vulgarity. Citing the Information Technology (IT) Act, Imaan said, "It is a legal offence to spread vulgarity online and in electronic form and govt had powers to ban that. But, like it failed to act against drugs, it failed to ban such social media accounts. AAP govt has been banning those accounts which bat for farmers and Punjab's rights, but has failed to ban the vulgar accounts, be it of men or women. Had it acted earlier, the present circumstances could have been avoided." However, Nihang order Budha Dal chief Baba Balbir Singh reminded the accused of what Khalsa stood for. Responding to a question by the media in a video, the Budha Dal chief pointed out that mobile phones had their pros and cons and there was a need to avoid their misuse. "But one should keep in mind that Khalsa never attacks an unarmed person," he said. 'You get what you watch' Social media influencers argue that the content they put out is driven by viewers who watch such content. A Punjab Police officer too said it was the discretion of viewers. "It all depends on surfing patterns and the content one watches. The viewer has the option to like or dislike a post. Accordingly, there is a pattern of algorithm of the content that appears on one's social media accounts," said the officer. The cyber-crime division of Punjab Police has two wings to monitor and regulate [content] if there is anything incriminating or objectionable. It has a social media analysis centre (SMAC) and a round-the-clock cyber-patrolling unit (CPU), an official said. "If CPU comes across any objectionable or instigating post, like seditious one or the one having the potential to disturb communal harmony, it is flagged to SMAC for blocking. After a three-tier filtering process, the posts or social media handles are identified and a request is sent to the platform concerned to remove those," said the official. The official cited situations where there are borderline posts. "Social media platforms analyse requests on various parameters, including community guidelines and take action accordingly. In case of seditious posts, all requests are accepted. Comparatively, not all posts which are flagged as politically defamatory are removed by the platform concerned. As far as posts with 'vulgar' content are concerned, the definition is wide. Something which may be seen as unlawful here, might not be unlawful in the country from where the social media platform is operating. Something which may be considered obscene here, might not be considered obscene for them," said another official. In May, the cyber-crime division of Punjab police got 555 posts and socials media accounts removed/blocked, which included those identified by the CPU and the complaints it received. These included 222 posts on Facebook, 152 on Instagram, 162 on YouTube and 19 on X.
